THERE can be nothing more frustrating on a big night out. You're standing at the bar gasping for a drink and you can't get served for love nor money.

Coughing loudly, waving a #20 note, looking desperate, shouting "Oi!" and even resorting to borrowing an attractive male or female decoy are all ploys used to try to catch the bartender's eye when the bar is three or four deep with punters.

But that could be a problem of the past if Tom Crow's dream ever becomes a reality.

The final year consumer product design student at Coventry University has come up with the answer to every pub and clubgoer's prayer - a system that means you don't have to queue for a drink.

"There's nothing more annoying when someone else pushes in and gets served before you," said 22-year-old Tom.

Called Fluid Navigation, it uses state-of-the-art wireless technology to communicate an order between the pint-puller and the pint-drinker without needing to exchange any words - or even money.

The system works with a bar card, a stylish and slim electronic device in brushed stainless steel which lights up blue when in use. It can even be customised so it becomes a cool accessory. An internet line is used to top up the card with credits.

The customer uses a touch-screen in the bar to order a drink. All the information is transmitted to a central computer which places the order in a queue. When the customer's turn comes up, the order is sent to the bartender.

"It will tell the barman what drinks you have ordered and where you are so the drinks can be taken to you," said Tom. And it even remembers your usual tipple.

"It learns what you like so it will ask if you would like a pint of your regular order."

As well as benefiting customers, it also saves bar staff from having to work out who is next to be served, straining to hear an order and sorting out money and change.

His design also acts as a free guide to what's happening in the town or city's cinemas, clubs, bars and sporting venues. It can even order you a taxi.

The concept took months of research, culminating in a 15,000-word report.

"I had to go and do a lot of research," smiled Tom. "I went in many bars and clubs in London and Nottingham, inter-viewed lots of managers and got lots of free drinks."

There was, however, a serious side to it. His design, after all, could determine his future.

Tom is among 250 final-year students from the university's design courses exhibiting their creations at Coventry City Football Club, East Stand, from tomorrow until June 13.

Tonight's preview will be the golden chance for them to catch the eye of potential employers. In that respect, the show is considered more important than their degree.

"You hope someone will look at your idea and give you a job," said Tom, who hopes to get a job in a consumer product design consultancy.

The show, called Assembly Required, will be opened by former BBC Tomorrow's World presenter Judith Hann and will feature a vast array of designs from boats and cars to kitchens and toys.

Car designs have always been seen as the show's main attraction. There is a purist's sports car by Martin Smith, a new-look Rover by Eddie Wong, a luxury vehicle based on the Louis Vuitton brand by Matthew Swann and even an idea to grown your own vehicles by Lucy Naughton.

But at this year's show there are more bike designs than ever before, reflecting the two-wheel revival.

Majid Khan has come up with a stylish motorbike for the city executive and Chris McGrath has designed a bike pedal and sports shoe that could win the professional triathlete vital seconds in world-class competition.

And Nick Graveley has developed a motorbike for a parent and child, inspired by his own moth-er's regret that she had to give up biking when she had children.

"It's a covered three-wheel motorbike that is smaller than a Mini and allows a parent to have the pleasure of motorbiking while being able to carry two children up to about the age of six," explained Jenny Hann (no relation), the university's head of industrial design.

"I want one!" Like most of the students, Tom doubts whether his design will ever see the light of day. What he does hope, however, is that the idea will show what he can do.

"These are the designers of the future and elements of many of these designs will be realised," said Jenny.